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MacBook repair advice - Apple or TekServe or what?

E

eocellus

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 21, 2007
3
0
I have a 1st-gen MacBook, out-of-warranty. Over time the ports started failing and last week the machine stopped working altogether. I've also dropped it a couple times and there are 2 small cracks in the case.

Took it to Apple Store and they quoted me $280 flat rate for repair. After they sent to the service center, I got a re-quote of $755 because of what they call "accidental damage"... this would include (I believe) logic board & case replacement.

Questions:
A) Machine is Core Duo 2.0GHz, 60GB, 1.25GB RAM (took out a 256 & put in a 1GB). If Apple repairs it it will come with a 90-day cover-everything warranty. I'd also fresh install Office 2008, iWork 08, and CS3. Worth it to repair and sell?

B) Anyone had a logic board replaced by Tekserve in NYC and know how much they charge? I would have them change the logic board and not bother w/ the case at all. They require you bring the machine to get an estimate, but I don't want to get it back from Apple to take it to TekServe and then decide to take it back to Apple again.

Thanks for any input.
 
$280 would have been a good deal. $755 is getting awefully close to the cost of a refurb Macbook, so I would wonder what you could really sell it for...
 
Get it back from Apple, for $750 just buy a new MacBook (here on the forum you could probably get a better machine than you have for 750).

You could also take it to either Tekserve or Digital Society here in the city. They'll probably both be around 500, so it might just be worth it to get a new one.

I'll put in a recommendation for Digital Society if you decide to fix it. I brought it my MBP for a HD upgrade on Thursday and they told me Saturday to expect it back but they finished in 2 hours.
 
I'm pretty sure that Tekserve has to send the big repairs like logic boards out to the depot now, so Apple will still set the pricing either way. Wouldn't Tekserve want money just to diagnose the problem once you're out of warranty? These things are so cheap you're better off salvaging the drive with all your data, and buying a new computer for a few hundred more. Hope it works out for you.

Oh and my advice would be to avoid the Apple Soho store for repairs, and do the repair order from a midtown store, or over the 800 number instead. Tekserve can be a zoo, so the Digital Society suggestion is a good one, but again, they're only authorized to do certain repairs, and limited as to what they can offer even if you're under Applecare.
 
blipstutter said:
I'm pretty sure that Tekserve has to send the big repairs like logic boards out to the depot now, so Apple will still set the pricing either way. Wouldn't Tekserve want money just to diagnose the problem once you're out of warranty? These things are so cheap you're better off salvaging the drive with all your data, and buying a new computer for a few hundred more. Hope it works out for you.

Oh and my advice would be to avoid the Apple Soho store for repairs, and do the repair order from a midtown store, or over the 800 number instead. Tekserve can be a zoo, so the Digital Society suggestion is a good one, but again, they're only authorized to do certain repairs, and limited as to what they can offer even if you're under Applecare.
Click to expand...

Tekserve is better than apple for things that I have been there. But then as many people said, avoid the SOHO store. I live in rockland county and the apple store at the palisades center mall is pretty good. Again, if the cost of the repair ends up being more than $600 bucks, you are better off buying a new macbook or MBP
 
Thanks

Thanks for the input everybody. I think I'll get the machine back from Apple and take it to TekServe for an opinion at least. It would be nice to get it working again, but I had everything backed up & already bought a new BlackBook. I'd just get it fixed to either sell or possibly give to my girlfriend. May end up selling as-is on eBay or here on the forums.

Always buy AppleCare, I guess!
 
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